Ed, a Flea, & Me – part 1

Every other fly rod was on the vertical rack. Sage, Orvis, Winston: all the names I knew and aspired to collect. But this rod was hung up horizontally. It was a bright amber with deep red wraps. The most striking aspect of the rod was that it was shorter than all the other fly rods in the shop. Moreover, it was shorter than any spinning rod I had seen.

“Ed Shenk makes those. Calls them ‘Fleas’.” The older gentleman behind the counter inserted, perceiving I was trying to figure out what I was looking at. “You’ve really got to know your stuff to cast those little rods.”

At the time, I had just started fly fishing. Among a number of other character flaws common to teenagers, I didn’t have an appreciation for small streams. Or small fly rods. Or, for that matter, Ed Shenk. Within a few years, each of those deficiencies would be remedied. First, I stumbled upon mountain creeks filled with bright brook trout. Then, I acquired a seven-foot 3-weight to chase them. Finally, I began to read about the anglers of Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley.

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Podcast Ep. 242: Midges – 12 Months of Dry Flies

You can do it. You can fish teeny, tiny flies.

Moreover, you want to do it. Why? Because if you can fish midges then you can probably fish dry flies any day you want to. In virtually all healthy ecosystems there will always be some tiny insects on the surface film. And somewhere, trout will be feeding on them.

Today’s podcast is a lightning quick overview of fishing little dries and emergers: flies, gear, tying, and technique. Not only is fishing midges productive and versatile, but it can be a lot of fun if you are willing to see the value in no-see-ums.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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A Picture is Worth…

Take a look at the photo above.

On the surface, it isn’t that remarkable. The trout is pretty enough… but it isn’t particularly large. The tackle in the background, on first glance, is standard fare.  And there is nothing immediately distinctive about the scenery.

The perceptive observer might notice something about each of the subjects in the picture. You wouldn’t be at fault for needing some explanation, however.

And I do plan to give that explanation. Because this picture represents:

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Achieving Peak Orvis

There I was, looking at my dog curled up on an expensive human chair in my living room, saying: “Why not? Why shouldn’t I buy him a dog bed from Orvis?”

So I did. But I feel like I have to explain myself.

Dog beds were, for a time, one of the punch lines about Orvis. “That’s where you go and get women’s sweaters and dog beds, not fly rods,” they said. The folks in Vermont have always made canine sleeping goods a priority. That is an undeniable, proof is in the catalog fact. Less empirical is the assessment that the quality of the fishing gear waned. Anecdotally, I use Orvis rods and reels from the last four decades, and I’m pretty content.

Just because I’m offering an apologetic for Big Fly Fishing doesn’t mean that I don’t have some feelings about Orvis dog beds.

Because I do:

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Podcast Ep. 241: Rods! Casting! Action!

Why did you pick the fly rod that you did? Was it the label? Was it the price? Was it how it felt when you wiggled it in the store?

Or, was it because the rod cast a line in a way that fit your stroke and your fishing?

Okay, now: why does the rod do that?

Dozens and dozens of hours could be filled with discussions about the engineering, manufacturing, and application of fly rod action. In about 20 minutes, I give a cursory look at how fly rods “get” action and how you should choose one that will fit your needs.

This episode has some real rabbit-hole potential… and I hope you take a deeper dive if interested!

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Scientific Assumptions & Better Conservation

Birds aren’t fish, and ducks aren’t trout. But for anyone interested in the conservation of these sporting species, a lot can be learned from a recent podcast put out by Ducks Unlimited.

The show features an engaging conversation regarding ongoing empirical research on migratory birds. A story that is not unfamiliar to those who pay attention to the protection of salmonids, scientists are seeing significant impacts as farmed ducks breed with wild bird populations. We’ve seen the impacts of selective breeding on everything from dogs to salmon. And while your purse-sized Pomeranian might be cute, factory-farmed sockeye are a real environmental risk.

There are some real interesting data-driven observations mentioned in the podcast. Analysis of mallard DNA has revealed the reason for both morphological and behavioral changes in the Atlantic flyway over the past century. Also, certain conclusions that had been chalked up to climate change seem to have more to do with the rapid alteration of genetics.

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The 4 Fly Fishing Closets

The bottom center jacket, obviously.

Clothes make the man. But do clothes  make the fly fisherman?

True: fishing is more about reading the water, making the right cast, and matching the hatch. But you can’t do any of this unless you’re dressed for the occasion. (And in most locales, it is probably frowned upon to fish if you’re not dressed.)

While you might not put a lot of thought into your angling attire, there is a very good chance that you could be placed into one of a number of well-defined boxes when it comes to your look. What you wear has very little bearing on what you catch. But that hasn’t stopped many, many people from confidently asserting otherwise.

For the past few generations, four main categories of fly fishing dress have emerged:

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Podcast Ep. 240: Fly Fishing Accusations, XXIV

Fly fishing is about a whole lot more than catching fish.

I’ve expressed that sentiment in quite a few ways over the years here on Casting Across. This week’s podcast touches on that theme in a few different ways. While I do give some practical, “tips-n’-tricks” information at the end, the majority of the ~20 minutes is about the peripheral stuff that makes fly fishing what it is.

And as always, thanks for all your questions, comments, and accusations.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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River Apollo, V

This is part 5 of the story. Read the beginning of River Apollo here.

Paul had stepped out onto his slate front porch and closed the door behind him as Gerry talked to him about the potential habitat improvement. Practically, it was to keep the bugs out. At a deeper level, Paul was subconsciously moving into a defensive posture. He wasn’t going to get into a fist fight with Gerry King, Vice President of the Spring Meadow chapter of Trout Unlimited. At least tonight he wasn’t. But he was becoming more and more hot around his neck and up behind his ears. The summer evening was cool. The creeping heat was all about frustration.

Say, Gerry. Thanks for coming out here. And I know the chapter wants what is best for the creek. But… Well, when is the next chapter meeting?

Thinking of gracing us with your presence Paul? And maybe $35 dollars? You still a member?

Paul was indeed still a card-carrying member of TU. Even though the wounds from local projects were still raw, he knew that good was being done. And Gerry King was not the pattern for the vast majority of the guys who he knew and fished alongside. This fact, and the humble acknowledgment that his voice carried a certain influence when it came to his creek, nudged him towards making a rare public appearance.

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Rusty Flybox: Fighters

Unless you’re angling for the purpose of sustenance or competition, species and size are less important than the challenge wrapped up in the pursuit. Where you catch a fish matters to you. How you catch a fish matters to you. The fight of a fish matters to you. Particularly for catch and release anglers, the sensation of a wild creature pulling on the other end of tackle is a significant part of the experience.

Today I’m sharing three articles from the Casting Across back catalog that touch on  hard fighting fish.

  • What is the hardest fighting trout on the east coast?
  • Which fish would “win in a fight”?
  • What species will ruin trout fishing for you?

Check out each of these articles below by clicking on the image or the title:

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